Fall foliage road trips in the US this year: 10 can’t-miss scenic drives

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• Blue Ridge Parkway — Iconic East Coast Fall Scenic Drive
• Kancamagus Highway — New England’s Classic Leaf-Peeping Route
• Vermont’s Route 100 — Small Town Charm and Endless Leaves
• Great Smoky Mountains Parkway — Longest Fall Season in the East
• Maine’s Route 1 to Acadia — Coastal Autumn and Ocean Views
• Traverse City & Northern Michigan — Lakeside Fall Foliage
• Million Dollar Highway — Colorado’s High-Altitude Golden Display
• Columbia River Gorge — Oregon’s Misty Canyon of Color
• Door County — Wisconsin’s Peninsula of Autumn Hues
• Eastern Sierra via Highway 395 — California’s Unexpected Autumn Secret

When autumn paints the country in streaks of amber and crimson, the highway becomes a moving gallery. Swap traffic jams for quiet overlooks, and pack layers: crisp air and vivid views reward the driver who chases the season. Below are ten fall foliage road trips that deliver memorable leaves, photo stops, and local flavors.

Blue Ridge Parkway — Iconic East Coast Fall Scenic Drive

The Parkway winds where the Appalachians rise and fall. Expect continuous vistas and engineered viewpoints that show off the hills.

• Route: A 469-mile scenic corridor linking Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains.
• What to expect: Rolling curves, densely forested ridgelines, and classic mountain overlooks.
• Best moments: The Linn Cove Viaduct frames sweeping valley colors and dramatic perspectives.
• Travel note: Some sections in North Carolina are under repair; stick to Virginia segments or the Asheville-to-Craggy Gardens stretch for reliable access.

Kancamagus Highway — New England’s Classic Leaf-Peeping Route

Short in miles, big in atmosphere. The Kancamagus offers concentrated New Hampshire scenery that feels like an autumn postcard.

• Route: Route 112 runs roughly 34 miles through White Mountain National Forest.
• What to expect: Primitive wilderness with almost no services. Plan fuel and food before you go.
• Best moments: Water features like Sabbaday Falls and the Swift River add motion to the red and gold canopy.

Vermont’s Route 100 — Small Town Charm and Endless Leaves

Drive through classic Yankee towns, covered bridges, and farms that turn into a quilt of autumn color by October.

• Route: A long two-lane road along the eastern flank of the Green Mountains.
• What to expect: Quaint villages, farms, and roadside stands selling seasonal treats.
• Best moments: An impromptu stop at a farm stand for fresh apple cider donuts feels like a ritual.

Great Smoky Mountains Parkway — Longest Fall Season in the East

The Smokies stretch elevation ranges, which staggers peak color dates. That makes them a safe bet for leaf seekers.

• Route: Newfound Gap Road and the Cades Cove loop are prime drives.
• What to expect: Diverse tree species, morning blue mist, and extended viewing windows.
• Best moments: Wildlife sightings at dawn in Cades Cove and high-elevation overlooks on foggy days.

Maine’s Route 1 to Acadia — Coastal Autumn and Ocean Views

Here fall meets the sea. Maine pairs fiery forests with rocky shorelines and cold Atlantic surf for dramatic contrast.

• Route: Follow Route 1 up the coast, then drive Acadia’s Park Loop Road on Mount Desert Island.
• What to expect: Wind-swept cliffs, lobster shacks, and winds that sharpen the light on colorful trees.
• Best moments: Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain over changing leaves and ocean waves.
• Local tip: Stop in Bar Harbor for a warm lobster roll and salt air—an October must-do.

Traverse City & Northern Michigan — Lakeside Fall Foliage

Northern Michigan mixes vineyards, orchards, and a shoreline that frames autumn color in a unique way.

• Route: Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, plus the M-119 Tunnel of Trees.
• What to expect: Crisp lake breezes, orchard stands, and scenic harbors cloaked in color.
• Best moments: Driving the M-119 canopy where branches form an arched tunnel of leaves.

Million Dollar Highway — Colorado’s High-Altitude Golden Display

In the West, aspens light up the slopes in electric gold. The Million Dollar Highway pairs bold alpine scenery with vivid fall tones.

• Route: A dramatic 25-mile stretch of U.S. 550 between Ouray and Silverton.
• What to expect: Steep drops, narrow lanes, and mountain peaks topped with early snow.
• Best moments: Entire cliffsides of shimmering aspens against dark granite make for powerful contrast.

Columbia River Gorge — Oregon’s Misty Canyon of Color

Just east of Portland, a deep river canyon hides cottonwoods and maples that flare in fall against basalt cliffs.

• Route: Historic Columbia River Highway hugs cliff edges above the river.
• What to expect: Waterfalls, basalt walls, and damp, mossy forest floors.
• Best moments: Multnomah Falls framed by yellow leaves creates an iconic Pacific Northwest scene.

Door County — Wisconsin’s Peninsula of Autumn Hues

Door County wraps water, parks, and small towns into a compact drive rich with seasonal color.

• Route: Loop Highway 42 or 57 around the peninsula for the full experience.
• What to expect: Apple orchards, coastal overlooks, and numerous state parks.
• Best moments: The winding stretch of Highway 42 near the tip, where the road snakes through dense hardwoods.

Eastern Sierra via Highway 395 — California’s Unexpected Autumn Secret

High desert meets jagged peaks. The Eastern Sierra delivers striking fall color reflected in lakes and backed by granite walls.

• Route: Highway 395 runs the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada with side trips to June Lake and Mammoth Lakes.
• What to expect: Sparse landscapes, crystal lakes, and stands of golden aspens and cottonwoods.
• Best moments: Cottonwoods glowing beside Silver Lake create crisp mirror images on still mornings.